Keegan's mouth twitched."Didn't you say no one can help me?" Julian asked with a smile.Keegan put down his glass of water and said, "Do you want to try?""Try what?""Try fighting a black belt in Taekwondo, a level 10 in Jujitsu, and a master at free combat," Keegan said slowly.Julian was at a loss for words. "Sorry, Keegan. I was wrong."'This kid's energy sure does feel a lot like Stella's,' Keegan thought.Julian closed the book, laid his head on the table, and asked, "Keegan, how did you meet Stella?" After two days of getting along, he was not as afraid of Keegan as before.Keegan scrolled through his phone and said in a casual tone, "She was a damsel in distress, and I saved her."Julian was surprised. "It surely doesn't seem that way to me. It's like you guys would not have batted an eye if you didn't know each other."Julian was a smart kid, and Keegan, who did not like getting into other people's businesses, treated him well because of Stella.Keegan paused. Juli
Stella wanted to slap herself after saying those words.'My stupid, out-of-control mouth!' she thought.Seeing her reaction, Keegan wanted to laugh.However, he understood that if he gave in to his laughter, Stella might decide to leave and seek refuge in the car.Struggling to suppress his amusement, Keegan covered his mouth with his right fist and cleared his throat before speaking, "Eat with Julian. He might feel too shy to eat if you don't join him."Julian was speechless upon hearing that.For a moment, Stella had an internal struggle with her pride. Then, she feigned reluctance and said, "Alright, then. I'll eat with him."Ten minutes later, Julian observed as Stella refilled her bowl once more. He couldn't resist commenting, "Stella, don't celebrities need to watch their weight—"Before he could complete his sentence, someone kicked him on his shin beneath the table.Julian's lips twitched, and he fell silent.Stella was sitting beside him while Keegan was sitting acro
Stella removed her face mask and sun hat before placing them on the grass beside them. Then, she jabbed Julian with her shoulder."You stick out your left hand, and I'll stick out my right. We'll give Ms. Cooke a heart."Julian felt a twinge in his eye.The word "no" was on the tip of his tongue for a while. However, he swallowed the word under Keegan's hard gaze. Then, he reluctantly stuck out his hand and struck a heart pose with Stella.Stella squinted her eyes and flashed a smile.Keegan held the phone. However, only Stella was in the phone's camera viewfinder.Stella was so tired from posing that her smile was about to turn stiff."Are you done?" she asked.Keegan frowned. "The lighting isn't good. Move to your left a little."Stella had no choice but to push Julian to the left."Like this?" Stella asked."Yes," Keegan said while quickly opening the WhatsApp application on Stella's phone and removing himself from the blocked list. Then, he sent the solo photo he took of
"If only I hadn't left after you gave me the candy and sent me away. I definitely would've caught you immediately. I was standing too far away."'That's how Marshall beat me to the punch,' thought Keegan.Stella got annoyed. "You've been thinking for two days, and this is the conclusion you came to?""No..." Keegan set down the bottle in his hand.He continued, "I should've pushed Jaylene away. In fact, it doesn't even matter if I was a little late, but I had to be facing you."Stella was at loss for words.Aldor quietly increased the volume of his earphones.She then turned away from Keegan. "Don't try to play the sympathy card."Keegan lowered his gaze. "I want to play the sympathy card on you, but you said we don't even have feelings of affection between us."Stella said nothing.'We have no feelings for each other, and it'll be nothing but torture to the both of us if we force ourselves to be together...' She suddenly thought of the words she had said to the officer on th
After Aldor left, Stella turned to look at Keegan.'He didn't even take off his shoes. How will Julian sleep here when he comes back later?' she thought.She went up to Keegan and took off his shoes. Then, she held his legs and pushed his body further into the bed.While she was doing so, she suddenly tripped over her feet and fell right onto Keegan.Stella's chin knocked onto Keegan's belt. It was so painful she gritted her teeth.She propped herself up from the bed. Just as she was about to get up, she suddenly felt something on Keegan's body, which was under her, poking her.Stella was startled. In the very next moment, her expression darkened. She grabbed the pillow next to her and threw it at Keegan's head."Go die, Keegan!" she said and promptly left after.When Aldor came back from buying the boba drink, he saw Keegan sitting by the bed alone in low spirits. Meanwhile, Stella was nowhere to be seen in the campervan."Mr. Kane, where's Mrs. Kane?" asked Aldor.Keegan sa
After Detective Karl concluded his conversation, he departed.Stella remained in place, her expression deep with concern. Her thoughts consumed her: 'Keegan was indeed the one who rescued me from the car accident. But I never contemplated why he was there in the first place.'Both vehicles had flipped and caught fire after the accident. Onlookers kept their distance, fearing they'd be impacted. Additionally, Keegan tends to maintain an indifferent stance toward strangers, making his rescue of me quite unusual.'Initially, I presumed the accident was a deliberate one-sided attack. Yet, there seems to be too much uncertainty now. As Detective Karl suggested, creating friction between them is the most direct approach.If they were complicit in the murder, causing discord between them could fracture their partnership. Then, I wouldn't need to anguish over uncovering the truth.'With this in mind, she retrieved her phone and dialed a number.Meanwhile, Albert had been in awful luck th
Seeing this, Sophia set down the bag in her hand."Dad, mom's just worried about you. You've been working hard for many years, so she just wanted to buy you something nice," she said in a low voice."You call this being worried about me? You're spending my money to worry about me?"At the mention of this, Albert's pent-up anger finally blew up. He continued, "She goes to the mall a few times every week. Does she have that many things to buy? How many clothes, bags, and shoes do you all have in your closets? Yet you're still buying more."Hylda was fed up with his words. "Do you think I'm buying this many things because I'm vain? I'm only doing this because of you! If I don't dress well and wear nice bags, how will I join the social circle of rich ladies? I'll only get the chance to bring you business after I get acquainted with them!"Albert did not appreciate her actions at all."This is my second marriage. Who in the circle doesn't know this? Those rich ladies in the social cir
Stella grabbed the phone. After she muttered something, she hung up the phone.Felicity placed the final dish onto the table and turned to Stella."My Queen, it's time to eat!" she shouted.Stella laughed. Then, she slipped on her shoes and walked over.There were four dishes and a bowl of soup, which was mushroom soup. It was amazing."Felicity, your idea's brilliant. Albert was scared shitless."Felicity's eyes lit up."Tell me more, tell me more!"Stella told Felicity what happened at the Jewell residence today.After Detective Karl told her about sowing discord, she discussed the matter with Felicity.Felicity was quick-witted and suggested starting on their youngest son first.Firstly, it was easier to coax children. Secondly, children acting this way was terrifying. It was like how children in western films made drawings that foretold death.'Who wouldn't get scared? Not to mention that Albert's a coward,' thought Stella.Stella and Felicity worked together. After th
Keegan moved from initial resistance to reluctantly listening, and eventually to questioning."Why do these novels portray men as so stupid and brainless, yelling at the female lead as if they have intermittent explosive disorder?""Is the male lead sick? Forcing the female lead to donate a kidney, is he out of his mind?""How many years would they get for calling the police in their world?""Why is he so dumb? The supporting actress claims the female lead pushed her into the water and he believes it? Is checking surveillance footage illegal?""Stella, are you making fun of me?""I can't learn this. It all feels so neurotic. What does the female lead see in him?"Stella retorted, "Who cares if it's neurotic? Just mimic that stupidity, that's how these innocent women like men who protect them like that."Keegan was very reluctant, but his brain was more compliant than his body. Without needing to study deliberately, everything he heard stuck in his mind.So when Keegan mentione
Keegan's expression darkened with anger. "You're being completely unreasonable!"Stella crossed her arms, wearing an expression that seemed challenging. "You let her take it. Let's see if I dare."Jaylene hadn't actually wanted those junk items in the first place; she was deliberately trying to stir up discord between them. Now that her goal was achieved, she put on a sympathetic look."Keegan, I don't want it anymore. Don't be angry. Your health is more important. Didn't the doctor say to keep your emotions stable?"Turning her head, she reproached Stella. "Stella, are you here to help Keegan recover his memory or just to provoke him?""Shut up, you brat! Do you even have a say here?"Acting under the guise of a drama, playing the role of someone lacking in manners, was incredibly satisfying.She’d wanted to curse this brat for a long time!Jaylene's lips twitched, but she held back, tearfully saying, "Stella, if you don't like me, I'll leave. There's no need to humiliate me l
Jaylene understood the situation perfectly. Even though she didn't particularly like these cold, mechanical devices, she put on a pretense of surprise, saying, "Really, Keegan?"Keegan nodded. "Choose one you like.""Keegan!" Before Stella could finish her sentence, she couldn't hold back her sharp voice, "With your pile of junk that I can't even touch normally, she takes a look and now you want to give it to her? What's the meaning of this?!"Keegan frowned, apparently not comprehending her current anger at all. "Jaylene gave me a gift, and I'm giving her one in return. What's the problem?""What problem?" Stella's eyes started to redden. "I can't touch them, so why should she be able to? Have you forgotten, or do you have inappropriate feelings for her?"Keegan's expression darkened. "This makes no sense!"Jaylene secretly delighted in this, hypocritically trying to calm things down, "Forget it, Keegan. Since Stella minds so much, I don't want it anymore. You've strained your r
The standoff lasted for over twenty minutes before Keegan grabbed a book and knocked the beetle off Jaylene's neck. The beetle fluttered twice and suddenly flew up, landing on Jaylene's face.Jaylene screamed, rolled her eyes, and fainted.As she collapsed, the bug flew off again."Jaylene?"Keegan called out to her.He looked up at Stella and said, "You go start the car, I'll carry her to the hospital."As he spoke, he signaled to Stella.She understood and coldly grunted, "So troublesome."Walking over to Jaylene, she squatted down beside her and slapped her face twice.Jaylene immediately opened her eyes and reached out to push her away. "What are you doing!"Stella was prepared and had already moved back before she could be pushed.She shook her tingling hand and innocently said, "Jaylene, you fainted because of the bug. I was just saving you. Don't believe me? Ask Keegan."Jaylene nearly ground her teeth. Did she think she hadn't heard? She was intentionally exposing h
Her fingertips trembled with a mix of horror and excitement. Just as the teapot was about to slip from her grasp, Keegan suddenly said, "Jaylene, don't move."Jaylene froze, instinctively thinking Keegan had regained his memory. She had barely twitched when Keegan loudly stopped her again, "Don't move, absolutely don't move."Jaylene wanted to say something, but then felt an itching sensation on her neck, as if something was crawling slowly. Goosebumps erupted all over her body.By now, Stella had turned around and saw Jaylene standing stiffly with the teapot in hand. Her eyes quickly assessed the situation and then she noticed the beetle crawling on Jaylene's neck.It was an unknown species, not overly tentacled but as long as a little finger, its mouthparts slightly twitching, genuinely alarming in appearance.Stella murmured, "It's so big."Jaylene couldn't see what was on her neck, unsure if it would bite or if it was venomous. She stood frozen in place, her voice trembling,
Seeing him, Stella even lowered her eyes and softly praised, "Mr. Kane, you acted very well."Keegan glared at her, his voice low and intense. "If you keep watching like this, Coco will cut ties with me tomorrow."Stella replied confidently, "No, she won't. After accepting the red envelope, she can tolerate you a little longer."Keegan asked sharply, "Did you teach her to ask for red envelopes like this?""Don't falsely accuse me; I didn't teach her.""You may not have taught her directly, but you set an example. Have you forgotten how you always make me buy things for you?"Stella was speechless. Whenever she wanted Keegan to buy her something, she would often say, "Gifts are only surprises when given voluntarily. If reminded, it shows they don’t like me that much."It had to be said, Coco had learned the essence of it.Stella also felt a bit awkward, thinking that in the future, she needed to avoid such flirtatious conversations between spouses in front of the children. They
Could she figure all this out?Keegan frowned, casting a disappointed look at Coco. "Are you not listening to me now?"Coco raised her gaze defiantly and stated, "Aunt Stella taught me that if I don't want something someone gives me, I can say no. I don't want this hairpin.""Didn't she teach you that even if you don't like something, you should still say thank you?"Coco fell silent for a moment, then reluctantly said to Jaylene, "Thank you, Aunt Jaylene, but I don't want it."Jaylene hesitated with her hand extended, unsure whether to retract it or leave it there, managing a strained smile. "Then what do you like? Next time, I will get you something you do like."Coco asked, "Do you want me to do something for you?"Jaylene was taken aback. "What?"Coco replied seriously, "Aunt Stella says offering help without reason is either deceitful or thieving. Since you don't like me, why else would you give me something? You want me to do something for you, right?"Jaylene forced a s
Leighton's incident did indeed revive their suspicions.Jaylene was gullible, but Darcie might see through this scheme. "Keegan, why didn't you go to work today?" Jaylene chose to ask directly at first.Keegan remained composed. "I've been busy with the press conference lately and haven't had much rest. Now that things have slowed down, I thought I'd take a break and relax."Jaylene spoke gently, "You should rest well. Since you came back, you've been busy, and you've been postponing Dr. Stone's follow-up appointments. Keegan, I'm really worried about your health. Since you're resting these days, I'll arrange for Dr. Stone to give you another check-up. Stella has been living here to assist your recovery for so long. We need the doctor to give a clear assessment of whether there's been any improvement. Otherwise, it's not good for Stella's reputation to stay here so long, unmarried and under one roof."Keegan nodded. "Okay, please arrange it. Thank you."His response was decisive,
Stella had just descended the stairs when she heard that remark, causing her eyelids to twitch as she thought to herself, “Damn it! He really knows how to come up with excuses!”Upon hearing this, Jaylene's eyes briefly flashed with disdain, but she ultimately accepted the shoe covers Keegan handed her. As Keegan led Jaylene into the house, her eyes continued to scrutinize every corner.There were a couple of pillows on the sofa, couple mugs on the table, wedding photos of Keegan and Stella on the walls, and even headbands and hair ties scattered on the table. The house exuded an unmistakable feminine touch.Jaylene's expression darkened, but when Keegan turned to ask if she preferred tea or coffee, she adopted a gentle, harmless demeanor. "Tea would be perfect."Keegan invited her to take a seat and called for Maria to prepare tea. Jaylene spoke softly, "Keegan, I heard from Stella that you brew Dragon Well tea better than anyone else. Is there a special technique?"Stella paused